Pope Francis’ First Angelus and Unscheduled Sunday Wishes

ROME – A square teeming with at least 150,000 people, according to the estimate of the director of the Vatican press office, Fr Federico Lombardi, heard Pope Francis’ first Angelus. “Brothers and sisters, good day. After our first meeting last Wednesday, I am again able to greet you all and am happy to do so on Sunday, the Lord’s day. It’s good for Christians to speak and exchange greetings on Sunday and today we do so in a square to which the media have given a global dimension”, were the first words of the new pontiff, who was met by a roar. His final remarks, too, were simple and warm: “Have a good Sunday and have a good lunch”. All this was in Italian. The traditional greetings in other languages were omitted. Shortly afterwards came the first papal tweet: “Dear friends I thank you with all my heart and ask you to continue praying for me. Pope Francis”.

LINK WITH ITALY – During the Angelus, Pope Francis mentioned his origins and the name he had chosen: “I chose the name of Italy’s patron saint. This reinforces my spiritual bond with this land, where as you know the origins of my family lie”.

MASS AT SANT’ANNA – Jorge Bergoglio’s first Sunday as Pope began with an ovation at the small parish church of Sant’Anna in Vaticano. When the pontiff arrived to celebrate mass, he paused to greet the many worshippers present, shaking hands, blessing children in their parents’ arms, treating a group of Argentinians to an unscripted exchange and then heading for the entrance to the church in Via del Mascherino, where a boisterous crowd awaited. A few minutes were spent greeting people behind the barriers and the Pope then went into the church for the service. The sermon focused on compassion and forgiveness following Jesus’ example. “The message of His compassion is the message of the Church today”.

SERMON – In his sermon at the mass celebrated in Sant’Anna in Vaticano, the new pontiff focused his thoughts on the forgiveness that the Lord grants all sinners without exclusion and without tiring of forgiving. Some have said, noted Pope Francis, that their soul is an “abyss beyond comprehension” and that if the priest knew their life, he would not use these words from the Gospel. The new pope responded to this argument: “Go to Jesus. He likes you to tell Him these things, then He forgets the sins, kisses you, embraces you and says only what He told the adulteress: ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go away and from this moment sin no more’”. It was a warning to everyone not to be afraid to ask the Lord for forgiveness. And also a warning to the Church never to refuse forgiveness. The new pontiff went on: “Sin no more. This is the only advice the Lord gives us but if we are in the same condition a month later, the Lord never tires of forgiving us. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness but He never tires of forgiving us”. Pope Francis noted: “This Jesus is wonderful. Alone on the Mount in prayer, then returning to the Temple and all the people going to Him, Jesus amid the people, then in the end leaving him alone, a fecund solitude of prayer with the Father. All the people went, He sat down to teach. The people’s hearts were open, needing the word of God”.

GREETING FOR ORLANDI – There was another unscheduled moment outside the church. Like any other parish priest, Pope Francis stayed to say individual goodbyes to emotional worshippers. Among the congregation was Pietro, the brother of Emanuela Orlandi, the Vatican employee’s daughter who disappeared more than thirty years ago. After taking his leave, the new pontiff emerged from the Vatican by Porta Angelica to greet more believers.

TUESDAY – St Peter’s Square was swarming with visitors from early morning. Vatican estimates put the number at about 150,000 while for Rome’s mayor Gianni Alemanno there were at least 300,000 people present. A pedestrian zone was set up around the square but some who attempted to reach the square on foot were blocked by barriers. However today’s [Sunday] operation was only a dry run for the enthronement ceremony on Tuesday.